Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty Early Dislocation Rate

Wear debris from metal-on-polyethylene articulation in conventional total hip arthroplasty can limit the implant’s longevity. Modern ceramic material with high wear resistance and low fracture risk has the potential to extend the lifetime of total hip arthroplasty, which makes the procedure potentially more suitable for young, active patients. Concerns with brittle ceramic material include fracture risk, the “squeak” phenomenon, and potentially a higher dislocation rate secondary to limited neck lengths and liner options. We therefore determined the early dislocation rate in modern ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty. In 1635 total hip arthroplasties performed over the 9-year period (1996-2005), we observed three anterior and 15 posterior dislocations (1.1%). All were treated successfully, one with a revision and 17 with closed reduction under general anesthesia. Ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty can be a good alternative bearing surface with a low dislocation rate.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.